Switch



Dec. 16, 1930.

H. A. GEORGE SWITCH Original Filed July 24, 1926 INVENTOR f/nkMoA/fl. 6:006:

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 13, 3930 UNITED STATES HARMON A. GEORGE, 015

PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA SWITCH Griginal application filed July 24, 1926, Serial No. 124,762. Divided and this application filed May 16, 1927.

Serial No. 191,858.

My invention relates to improvements in switches, and consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed.

This invention is a division of my co-pending application, Serial No. 124,762, filed July 24, 1926.

An object of my invention is to provide a switch which has guiding means for the arm, for permitting the switch arm to be swung into various positions without the necessity of the operator glancing at the device when actuating it.

A further object of my invention is to pro- 1 vide a device of the type described which is provided with a retarding mechanism for eeping the switch closed a predetermined length of time and subsequently opening the switch, this operation being automatically accomplished once the switch has been closed.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which is simple in construction and which is durable and efiicient for the purpose intended.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification. and the novel features of my invention will be particularly described in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accom panying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the device;

Figure 2 atop plan view of the device;

Figure 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of Figure 2; v

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the switch arm and its associated parts:

Figure 5 is a section along the line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a wir ng diagram showing the switch connected to a plurality of lights: and

Figures 7 and 8 are views of portions of the device.

In carrying out my invention I provide a cylindrical casing 1 having an internal thread 2 at its lower end for receiving a threaded disc 3, this disc being disposed a suflicient distance within the casing to permit the threads 2 to be used in securing the device to a support, not shown. The casing 1 is further provided with an inwardly-extending flange 4, used for a purpose hereinafter described, and with internal threads 5, and external threads (3 at its upper end.

A cover 7 is screwed upon the threads (5 and is provided with a cross-shaped opening 8 for permitting the swinging of a switch arm 9 in anyone of the arms of the opening. It is obvious that the opening 8 need not be cross-shaped, but may be provided with as many radially extending arms as desired.

The switch arm is carried by an insulating disc 10, the later being mounted upon the flange 4 and being secured thereto by any means. The arm 9 projects through the disc 10 and has a hook 11 fashioned in its lower end. I The arm also carries a conductor ring 12 which is insulated from the arm by an insulating ring 13 (see Figure 5).

It will be noted from this construction that amovement of the arm 9 will cause the book 11 to swing in an arc and since the hook extends in a vertical position when not in use, a movement of the arm will raise the book while at the same time swinging it. I make use of this movement for moving a piston 14 in a dash-pot 15. The dash-pot 15 is universally connected to the disc 3 at 16 and is provided with a cover 17 which also 1:

acts as a guide for apiston rod 18 that is connected to the hook 11 and to the piston 14. A spring 19 urges the piston downwardly and is shown bearing against the piston and the cover 17.

The piston 14; carries a valve 20 which peri lnits a liquid 21 to drain from a point above the piston to a point below the piston as the piston is moved upwardly by a swinging of the arm 9. The flow past the valve 20 is rapid long the time required in moving the piston back into normal position. This eriod of time may be adjusted by the adjusting of the set screw 23.

Between the disc 10 and the cover 7 1 dispose an insulating disc 24 (see Figure 3), this disc having threads for permitting it to be screwed into the threaded portion 5. This disc carries contact arms and 26 (see Fig ures 7 and 8), these arms being so positioned as to be contacted by the ring 12 when the switch arm 9 is swung into any one of its four positions.

From the foregoing description of the va rious parts of the device the operation thereof may be readily understood. In Figure 6 l have shown a wiring diagram of theswitch connected to a plurality of lights 27. This wiring diagram is explained in my co-pending application heretofore mentioned, and therefore needs no explanation at this point since it forms no part of the present invention but merely shows one use to which the switch may he put.

Assume that the switch has been moved into the dotted line position K shown in Figure 2. This, of course, will raise the piston 14%, and since the arm is reieesed, spring 19 will move the piston 14 back into normal position. This movement, of course, is slow, due to the set screw 23, and therefore a certain time period will elapse before the 12 will ride free of the Wires 25 and 26. During this time certain of the lights 27 will be illuminated for indicating direction to drivers in approaching automobiles, or for any other use to which the lights may be put. T he construction of the switch is such that when used on an automobile for closin circuits to direction giving lights, the river merely has to drop one hand and move the switch arm 9 in the required direction, and then go on steering the automobile, leaving the switch to automatically control the lights thereafter. time and leaves the driver in complete control of his car while at the same time the signal lights are on. After a predetermined time period the arm 9 will be brought into neutral position and the direction indicating lights will be extinguished.

It will also be noted that the piston rod 18 is free to be moved downwardly with respect to the piston 14, although during normal op eration, the rod 18 and piston 1% are held together in the manner shown, due to the snug fit. The purpose of this construction is to permit the switcher-m 9 to be quickly swung into dill'erent position from a position into which it has just been swung.

Assume that the arm 9 has been swung to right in Figure 1 and the operator then ishes to swing it to the left before the piston or arm has returned to normal position. This he can do because the swinging of the This requires but an instant of arm will merely slide the rod 18 in the piston without forcing the piston downwardly in the oil, until the arm reaches neutral position. Further swinging will return the rod until the lower portion en ages the piston. The piston will then be raised the distance it has previously moved downwardly.

I claim:

1. A switch adapted to close various circuits and to be manually moved in a plurality of directions, a cylinder adapted to hold a fluid, a piston in said cylinder, :1 rod pivotally connected to said switch and passing into said cylinder and slidably connected to said piston, said piston being resiliently mounted to disconnect the switch from a circuit, said piston havin" an aperthre therethrough and means for adjusting the cross sectional area of said aperture, and a valve in said piston adapted to be opened by the fluid in the cylinder when the piston is moved.

A switch adapted to close various cit cui and to be manually moved in a plurality of ialIBCtlOllti, a cylinder adapted to hold a fluid, a piston in said cylinder, a rod pivotally connected to said switch and passing into sci cylinder and slidahly connected to said piston, piston being resiiientiy Ifiliiliili.-- ed to disconnect the swltch from a circuit, said piston havin an aperture therethrough and means for adjusting the cross sectional area of said aperture, and a valve in said piston adapted to he opened by the fluid in the cylinder when the piston mo a disc cen l secured t" se ily support pivot for said switch.

3. A switch comprising a plurality of stationary contacts, a switch arm manually movable into different positions for closing certain of said contacts, means having a universal connection with the arm for swing ing said arm back into normal position, and means for retarding the return movement of said arm.

4. A switch comprising a plurality of stationary contacts, a switch arm manually movable into different positions for closing certain of said contacts, means having universal connection with the arm for swinging said arm back into normal position, and means for retarding the return movement of said arm, said last named means being adjustable for varying the length of time re quired'for returning the arm to normal position.

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